Transgender people have a gender identity or gender expression that differs from the sex that they were assigned at birth. Being transgender is distinct from sexual orientation. The opposite of transgender is cisgender , which describes persons whose gender identity matches their assigned sex. The degree to which individuals feel genuine, authentic, and comfortable within their external appearance and accept their genuine identity has been called transgender congruence. Many transgender people face discrimination in the workplace [16] and in accessing public accommodations [17] and healthcare. Before the midth century various terms were used within and beyond Western medical and psychological sciences to identify persons and identities labeled transsexual , and later transgender from mid-century onward.
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For additional resources on how to fairly and accurately report on transgender people, please see " In Focus: Covering the Transgender Community " and visit glaad. Transgender women are not cross-dressers or drag queens. Drag queens are men, typically gay men, who dress like women for the purpose of entertainment. Be aware of the differences between transgender women, cross-dressers, and drag queens. Use the term preferred by the person. Do not use the word "transvestite" at all, unless someone specifically self-identifies that way. You may hear the following terms when doing research on transgender issues or speaking to an interview subject. As they are not commonly known outside the LGBTQ community, they will require context and definition if used in mainstream media. It is never appropriate to put quotation marks around either a transgender person's chosen name or the pronoun that reflects that person's gender identity.
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Sex and gender can be considered in biological and cultural ways. Typically, a biological male has a penis and testes. A biological female has a vagina and ovaries. Gender is rooted more in culture and environment. Most cultures have social customs and activities that are associated with males and females. For example, children may be given certain gender-specific toys to play with. In some cultures, this might mean toy cars and trucks for boys and dolls and dress-up clothes for girls. Likewise, the children might be raised to take on certain roles — or have certain expectations — as adults, based on their gender.
Your browser does not allow automatic adding of bookmarks. Transgender is an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which the individual was assigned at birth and falls outside stereotypical gender definitions. It may include pre-operative, post-operative and non-operative transsexual people; male and female cross-dressers; intersexed individuals; and any individuals regardless of sexual orientation who are gender atypical and do not comply with stereotypical gender norms. The term transsexual often describes an individual who has undergone a sex change operation or who identifies with a gender that is inconsistent with their assigned sex at birth. It is an older term, and is less popular with those identifying with the word, than transgender. The materials and information included in the XpertHR service are provided for reference purposes only. They are not intended either as a substitute for professional advice or judgment or to provide legal or other advice with respect to particular circumstances. Use of the service is subject to our terms and conditions. View our privacy policy , privacy policy California , cookie policy , supported browsers and access your cookie settings.